Looking for a recommendation for a high powered 1U shallow Rack Stereo Power Amplifier.

[jazzyvee]

I've had a a Synq 1K0 stereo power amp to drive my bass rig for about 7 years and last year it packed up on a gig and fortunately my pre-amp was taking a feed to the desk so I was ok.

 

 I'm now. looking for a replacement of a similar power rating, not for volume but clean headroom to drive my main gigging cab a 4 ohm big twin II.

https://synq-audio.com/digit-1k0
 

Extremely high power output:

2x 540Wrms @ 4ohms

2x 300Wrms @ 8ohms

Output in bridge mode:

1x 1080Wrms @ 8ohms

I'm looking for suggestions please must be 1U and preferably class D to fit in this rack.

 

Thanks in advance

Jazzyvee

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

Powersoft

[Acebassmusic]

2 hours ago, MOSCOWBASS said:

Powersoft

 

I second that. Theyre not cheap and they're not shallow if thats a deal breaker. I used two for a number of years both as PA amps and with my bass. I think I sold them to @Happy Jack about 4 years ago 🤔

 

[Happy Jack]

I've had two Powersoft units for a long time; the one I bought from @Acebassmusic was a replacement for one I sold in a fit of absent-mindedness during Covid.

 

Wonderfully light (in context!), totally reliable.

 

[Acebassmusic]

2 hours ago, Happy Jack said:

....... one I sold in a fit of absent-mindedness.......

I will be using that phrase to describe why I have sold many basses over the last decades! 🤣

[Dood]

Awww! Yes! I remember my Powersoft! What an absolutely beast of an amplifer! Highly recommended - though, they do require a deep rack case rather than the shallow versions. I think mine was about 1K a side, which is just bonkers. but fun. 

[sifi2112]

Blue Aran do 1U power amps from cheap to expensive .. no idea if they’re any good but worth a look 

https://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=JMSX16&msh=JMF61

 

I use a Koch ATR-4502, made for guitar but I think it works fine on bass for me

[jazzyvee]

Thanks for the powersoft pointer, however i did consider one before finding the Synq but they are full rack depth and i'm looking for a replacement for my shallow rack setup. As for the Blue Aran i will contact them this week. Thanks guys.

[Acebassmusic]

I had a look at the Blue Arran site and the amp "specs" are slightly lacking on watts rating info...RMS, Peak, AES, WTF etc?

[Dan Dare]

3 hours ago, Acebassmusic said:

I had a look at the Blue Arran site and the amp "specs" are slightly lacking on watts rating info...RMS, Peak, AES, WTF etc?

 

Par for the course these days, especially with compact/class D stuff.

 

LD Systems offer 1U power amps. Their PA speakers get good reviews and I've been impressed by those I've heard (I auditioned a couple of their stick and sub models when I was looking for my PA a few years back).

 

Lab Gruppen are definitely worth checking out, too, but they ain't cheap.

 

If you want shallow rack depth, power outputs are likely to be lower. Quart from a pint pot, etc.

[Owen]

 Chevin A500 can be bridged to do 700w @ 8ohms. 

[NancyJohnson]

I ran Matrix poweramps for years, highly recommended.  The XT800 is a 1U two channel rack unit, 400w a side of 800w bridged.  

 

This unit is £650...not cheap, but it's an absolute belter of a poweramp.

 

We live in times where we're of the allusion that we need these ridiculous levels of wattage, when we really don't.  800w is more than enough.  400w should be enough.  I rarely ran mine above 30% in bridged mode.  

[prowla]

Cue the discussion about what's a Watt, etc.

[Suburban Man]

On 14/02/2026 at 16:32, Dan Dare said:

 

Par for the course these days, especially with compact/class D stuff.

 

LD Systems offer 1U power amps. Their PA speakers get good reviews and I've been impressed by those I've heard (I auditioned a couple of their stick and sub models when I was looking for my PA a few years back).

 

Lab Gruppen are definitely worth checking out, too, but they ain't cheap.

 

If you want shallow rack depth, power outputs are likely to be lower. Quart from a pint pot, etc.

I have a couple of LD systems amps for PA use - they are fine in that context, but I’d find the fan noise too much for use as an instrument amp